Jobs › Abbott

Sr. Engineer, Systems Software

Abbott · Madison, WI · $78,000–$156,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the most complex software bug you debugged. How did you find it?

What they are checking: Whether they have a methodical debugging approach for hard, system-level problems.

Tell me about an internal tool you built that made data analysis or management faster for your team.

What they are checking: Whether they improve team productivity proactively.

Describe how you provide technical leadership to less experienced engineers.

What they are checking: Whether they mentor through reviews and guidance in a way that raises the team's skill.

What would you do

An existing system is too slow in a key path. How do you approach improving its performance?

What they are checking: Whether they measure first and target real bottlenecks rather than guessing.

A teammate wants to skip a design review to hit a deadline. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they protect required reviews while helping the team meet the date.

About the work

Walk me through how you translate product requirements and quality system requirements into software specifications for a regulated device.

What they are checking: Whether they understand traceability from requirements to design to tests under design controls.

What does IEC 62304 or FDA design control mean for how you write and document software?

What they are checking: Whether they know medical device software rules and work within them naturally.

How do you document a software architecture with UML so another engineer can work from it?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate design clearly through standard notation.

How do you design a test strategy that covers unit, module and system levels and proves requirements are met?

What they are checking: Whether they can build verification that satisfies both engineering and regulators.

How do you troubleshoot a system failure that involves hardware, firmware and software together?

What they are checking: Whether they can isolate faults across layers in a complex instrument system.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Essential Duties: • Lead and participate in all aspects of the software development lifecycle. • Translate product requirements and quality system requirements into software specifications and assist in defining the product requirements. • Lead review and create software design control documents with team input. • Lead the architecture of software driven systems. • Document software designs and systems using generally accepted notation such as UML. • Maintain and improve the performance of existing software. • Review and debug highly complex software. • Code complex software applications with associated unit tests. • Develop test strategies and execute test plans at module/unit and system levels. Develop test plans to ensure that product requirements, quality system requirements, regulatory requirements, and design specifications have been met. • Create internal software tools to enhance data analysis and data management productivity. • Troubleshoot complex system issues and failures. • Provide technical leadership. • Mentor junior engineers and interns to develop their skills. Facilitate training of junior engineers on current software and software development practices. • Work with external vendors to verify and validate software and hardware platforms. • Work collaboratively in cross-functional teams. • Apply professional written and verbal communication skills. • Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality and teamwork. • Support and comply with the company’s Quality Management System policies and procedures • Regular and reliable attendance. • Ability to work designated schedule. • Ability to work nights and/or weekends. • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds for approximately 5% of a typical working time. • Ability to work in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 90% of a typical working day. • Ability to comply with any applicable personal protective equipment requirements. • Ability to travel approximately 5% of working time. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in software engineering or related field. • 6+ years of relevant industry experience. • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship. • Demonstrated ability to perform the Essential Duties of the position with or without accommodation. Preferred Qualifications: • 8+ year of experience following quality system/design control in medical device or related area, and a track record of contributions to successful software launches, from initial concept to customer release. • Knowledge of the software lifecycle for a medical device. • Experience in medical device development. The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Product Development DIVISION: ONCO Cancer Diagnostics LOCATION: United States > Madison : 5505 Endeavor Ln ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Not specified MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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